The first step to winning the provincial men’s curling championship was held this weekend as the district playdowns were held at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club. Just four teams were entered in the event with all four now advancing to the regional playoff in Shellbrook next weekend. At the regional qualifier the four local teams will be joined by four more clubs from Shellbrook and LaRonge with as many as four of those moving on to the northern men’s championship, which is scheduled to be held in Meadow Lake on Jan. 16-19. At the district event in Prince Albert on the weekend the four teams played a round-robin with the Cliff McBeath foursome claiming the Gordon Thompson Rock as the top team. The McBeath rink posted a 2-1 record, the same as that of the Bryan Rindal squad, but McBeath was awarded first place after he won the head-to-head meeting with Rindal. Doug Phelps and Robin Shillington were the other teams entered with both of those clubs posting 1-2 ledgers. Shown in the photo are the members of the McBeath foursome with the Gordon Thompson Rock. From left, McBeath, third Brad Bibby, second Steve Thevenot and lead Mike Roth. Herald Photo by Dave Leaderhouse